How can the UK secure affordable energy supplies on the
path to net zero? Fossil fuel giants bp and Shell and Business
Secretary to give evidence to MPs
The UK heads of bp and Shell, the CEO of Harbour Energy, climate
campaigners Uplift and Business Secretary will all give evidence on
Wednesday 20 July as the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC)
concludes evidence gathering on Accelerating the transition
from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies.
In the light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the
resulting surge in oil and gas prices, energy bills are rising
for consumers, exacerbating the current cost of living crisis. As
a result, there is renewed focus on how the UK can improve its
energy security and accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
During this inquiry, the EAC has been scrutinising the
Government’s Energy Security Strategy and seeking to understand
how the UK can accelerate renewable and low-carbon energy and
energy efficiency measures..
The first panel of Wednesday’s evidence session will include both
bp and Shell’s heads of country, Harbour Energy’s Chief Executive
and a climate lawyer and campaigner. Members will be exploring
the role of oil and gas companies in the UK’s net zero ambitions,
what steps the companies are taking to reduce their emissions and
the benefits and drawbacks of further development in the North
Sea.
Business Secretary and Director of Regulation
for the North Sea Transition Authority Tom Wheeler will then take
questions from the EAC on the Government’s policies and
programmes in this area. MPs are likely to quiz the Secretary of
State on the Climate Change Committee’s recent progress Report to
Parliament, whether Government policy on oil and gas development
is compatible with the Paris Agreement and net zero, the reliance
of technology to remove emissions and the resilience of the UK
energy market.
Witnesses from 14:15:
- Louise Kingham CBE, Head of Country, UK, bp
- David Bunch, UK Country Chair, Shell
- Linda Cook, CEO, Harbour Energy
- Tessa Khan, founder and director, Uplift
Witnesses from 15:15:
- Rt Hon MP, Secretary of State for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Jeremy Allen, Director, Energy Portfolio Office, Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Tom Wheeler, Director of Regulation, North Sea Transition
Authority
